血けつ税ぜい

noun

taxpayers' hard-earned money; blood tax

Figurative expression emphasizing that tax money comes from the sweat and sacrifice of citizens. Often used in political or economic commentary.

• 政せい治じ家かは血けつ税ぜいの無む駄だ遣づかいをやめるべきだ。

  Politicians should stop wasting taxpayers' hard-earned money.

• 血けつ税ぜいを投とう入にゅうした公こう共きょう事じ業ぎょうの効こう果かが問とわれている。

  The effectiveness of public works funded by taxpayers' money is being questioned.

noun

heavy tax; crushing tax burden

Describes a tax so severe it feels like giving one's blood. Used in strong criticism of tax policy.

• この増ぞう税ぜいはまさに血けつ税ぜいだ。

  This tax increase is truly a blood tax.

noun

conscription; compulsory military service

Obsolete term. Historically referred to the 'blood tax' of mandatory military service. Modern Japanese uses 徴兵制度.

See also: 徴兵

• かつて血けつ税ぜいという言こと葉ばは徴ちょう兵へいを意い味みした。

  The word 血税 once meant conscription.